Shopian, Jan 31: Residents of south Kashmir’s Shopian district have once again pressed for a separate Mechanical Division, saying continued dependence on an Anantnag-based unit leaves the district crippled after snowfall and reflects years of official apathy toward a long-pending demand.
The district currently depends on a single Mechanical Division based in Anantnag, which caters to the entire south Kashmir region.
Locals allege that due to this arrangement, Shopian is usually the last district to receive snow clearance machinery, resulting in prolonged disruption of normal life.
“Even after a moderate snowfall, our roads remain blocked for two to three days,” said Abdul Rashid, a resident of Keller. “Snow clearance machines arrive very late because Shopian does not have its own mechanical division. Patients suffer the most as ambulances cannot reach hospitals on time.”
Residents said that interior areas, particularly Keller, Zainapora, Harmain and several outskirts of Shopian town, remain completely cut off whenever snowfall occurs. Link roads, they alleged, are often ignored, forcing people to fend for themselves.
Mohammad Yousuf, a shopkeeper from Kapran said locals are compelled to clear snow manually. “People come out with shovels to clear roads on their own. It is shameful that in this day and age, a full-fledged district like Shopian does not have adequate snow clearance machinery,” he said.
The lack of a dedicated mechanical division, residents said, has serious economic consequences as well. “Fruit growers, traders and daily wage workers suffer heavy losses,” said Kifayat Ahmad, an apple grower from Shopian. “Markets remain shut for days and transportation comes to a halt. Shopian is one of the most important horticulture districts of Kashmir, yet basic infrastructure is missing.”
Women and elderly residents expressed grave concern over medical emergencies during winters. Naseema Begum, a resident of Harmain, said pregnant women and elderly patients are the worst affected. “Many times, patients are carried on foot or on makeshift stretchers because roads are blocked and vehicles cannot reach our villages,” she said.
Residents said the issue resurfaces every winter despite repeated representations and assurances from authorities. “The file for a separate mechanical division has been lying with the government for years,” said Ghulam Nabi, a retired employee. “Both locals and concerned departments have been following up on this demand for over a decade, but nothing concrete has been done.”
The locals also reacted strongly to the recent statement of the Deputy Chief Minister during his visit to Shopian, where he said that no one had approached him with such a demand. “This is completely incorrect,” said several residents. “The Deputy CM must verify records. The demand has been officially raised multiple times, both by the public and by departmental officials.”
Residents from the area urged the government to immediately intervene and sanction a separate Mechanical Division for Shopian, equipped with sufficient snow cutters, dozers and manpower.
They said only a dedicated division can ensure timely road clearance and spare the people from recurring hardships every winter—(KNO)
